Improving Completeness of Surgical Inpatient Medical Records in Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Introduction: One of the most essential steps in improving the quality of service delivery in the health service is the improvement of patients' medical record completeness. The aim of this study is to assess patient medical record completeness in the Saint Paul hospital department of surgery and assess the pattern of improvement in record completeness after intervention.

Methods: surgical Patient charts were randomly reviewed with a standard patient chart completeness evaluation checklist prepared by the Federal Ministry of Health. Baseline data was collected in June 2019 and post intervention data was collected in November 2019. The schedule for intervention was carried out between July and October 2019. Interventions include modification of formats, continuous monitoring, and inclusion of chart completeness in the monthly morbidity and mortality conference, and establishment of a recognition system for best performing wards.

Result: A total of 253 and 273 medical charts were evaluated during baseline and post intervention. The Post intervention assessment showed 206 (75.5%) of records had admission notes completed, 205 (75%), the order sheet was completed in 218 (79.7%) and the discharge summary was completed in 217 (79.5%) of medical records. From nursing parameters, the medication sheet was completed in 177 (64.8%) and the nursing care plan was completed in 155 (56.8%) of medical records. When all six indicators were seen in aggregate, total medical record completeness showed a statistically significant improvement from 41% during base line to 72% post intervention (p < 0.05).

Conclusion and recommendation: Study has shown that small and persistent quality improvement interventions that focus on continuous evaluation, leadership engagement, and innovative strategies bring significant improvement in record completeness.